Wiper arm

ABSTRACT

In a windshield wiper arm with a first component arm ( 10 ), a second component arm ( 12 ) and a hinge which joins the first and the second component arm to one another with a folding capacity so that the two component arms can be swivelled relative to one another out of an initial position into the folded-down position, the folded-down position will be precisely defined. For this purpose it is provided that the first component arm is provided with at least one catch ( 18 ) and the second component arm is provided with at least one projection ( 20 ) which are arranged such that they can make contact with one another in order to prevent swivelling of the two component arms beyond the folded-down position.

PRIOR ART

[0001] The invention relates to a windshield wiper arm with a first component arm, a second component arm and a hinge which joins the first and the second component arm to one another with a folding capacity so that the two component arms can be swivelled relative to one another out of an initial position into the folded-down position.

[0002] One of the component arms of the windshield wiper arm is provided with a windshield wiper rubber and the other windshield wiper arm is caused to execute swivelling motion by a windshield wiper drive. In the initial position the windshield wiper rubber rests on the windshield to be cleaned. The two component arms are swivelled relative to one another into the folded-down position in order to replace the windshield wiper rubber, for example. In the known windshield wiper arms in which one of the two component arms is provided with two hinge clips which are parallel to one another and which surround the other component arm the folded-down position in the overextended state is defined by the crosspiece between the two hinge clips of one component arm adjoining the other component arm. On the one hand the disadvantage here is that based on the resulting linear contact between the two component arms, locally very high stresses can arise which can lead to damage of an enamel layer which is present, for example. On the other hand, the disadvantage is that one component arm adjoins the other in the area which is visible from the outside when the two component arms assume their initial position relative to one another so that possible damage becomes apparent.

[0003] The object of the invention is to develop a windshield wiper arm of the initially mentioned type such that the folded-down position of the two component arms relative to one another is defined precisely and no damage to the two component arms at all can occur when they adjoin one another in the folded-down position.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The windshield wiper arm with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that at this point there are separate stop surfaces which can be designed with regard to the respective requirements. On the one hand, a comparatively large contact surface between the catch and the projection can be chosen so that the contact forces are small. On the other hand, the catch and the projection can be arranged such that they are not apparent during operation.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments of the invention follow from the dependent claims.

DRAWINGS

[0006] The invention is described below with reference to two embodiments which are shown in the attached drawings.

[0007]FIG. 1 shows in a dismounted perspective view a windshield wiper arm according to the first embodiment in the initial position;

[0008]FIG. 2 shows in a dismounted perspective view the windshield wiper arm from FIG. 1 in the folded-down position;

[0009]FIG. 3 shows the windshield wiper arm from FIG. 2 in another perspective representation;

[0010]FIG. 4 shows in a dismounted perspective a windshield wiper arm according to the second embodiment in the folded-down position;

[0011]FIG. 5 shows in a schematic side view the windshield wiper arm from FIG. 4; and

[0012]FIG. 6 shows in a schematic side view the windshield wiper arm from FIG. 5 in the initial position.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0013] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a windshield wiper arm according to the first embodiment of the invention. It consists of a first component arm 10 which can be connected to a windshield wiper drive (not shown), and a second component arm 12 which can be provided with a windshield wiper rubber (likewise not shown). The first component arm 10 is made here as a cast part, while the second component arm 12 is made as a bent sheet metal part with a generally U-shaped cross section. The second component arm 12 on its end assigned to the first component arm 10 has two hinge clips 14 which extend parallel to one another and through which a hinge pin extends which is symbolized by its center axis 16. The hinge pin is accommodated in a corresponding hole in the first component arm 10 so that a hinge is formed which makes it possible to swivel the first and the second component arm relative to one another out of the initial position which is shown in FIG. 1 into the folded-down position which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0014] The first component arm 10 is provided with a catch 18 which extends into the plane of the hinge clip 14. The corresponding hinge clip 14 is provided with a projection 20 which is made as an extension of the hinge clip. The catch 18 and the projection 20 are made such that they form a stop (see especially FIG. 3) which defines the folded-down position of the two component arms 10, 12. Preferably the catch 18 and the projection 20 are made such that in the folded-down position there is surface contact between the sections of the catch and the projection which are used as stop surfaces. FIG. 2 also clearly shows the distance s which is present in the folded-down state between the first and the second component arm so that damage to the first component arm is prevented by linear contact with the second component arm.

[0015] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the second component arm 12 has a recess 22 which makes it possible to arrange the catch 18 comparatively near the axis 16 of the hinge without hindering the folding down of the second component arm into the initial position.

[0016] FIGS. 4 to 6 show a windshield wiper arm according to the second embodiment of the invention. For the components known from the first embodiment the same reference numbers are used and reference is made to the explanations above.

[0017] In contrast to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment the projection 20 on the hinge clip 14 does not extend in the same plane as the hinge clip, but is bent in a hook shape toward the opposite hinge clip. For this reason, the catch 18 on the first component arm need no longer extend into the plane of the hinge clip, but is located entirely with the area bordered by the hinge clip.

[0018] In this embodiment as well the catch and the projection are made such that when the first and the second component arm are in the folded-down position relative to one another, surface contact is established between the catch and the projection so that the folded-down position is precisely defined.

[0019] Depending on the application, the projection and the catch can be on one side of the hinge or the other or also on either side of the hinge. It is furthermore possible to interchange the arrangement of the projection and the catch, therefore make the catch on the first component arm and the projection on the second component arm. Reference number list 10 component arm 12 component arm 14 hinge clip 16 axis of the hinge pin 18 catch 20 projection 22 recess s distance 

1. Windshield wiper arm with a first component arm (10), a second component arm (12) and a hinge which joins the first and the second component arm to one another with a folding capacity so that the two component arms can be swivelled relative to one another out of an initial position into the folded-down position, characterized in that the first component arm is provided with at least one catch (18) and the second component arm is provided with at least one projection (20) which are arranged such that they can make contact with one another in order to prevent swivelling of the two component arms beyond the folded-down position.
 2. Windshield wiper arm as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second component arm has two hinge clips (14) which surround the first component arm and wherein the projection (20) is made on a hinge clip.
 3. Windshield wiper arm as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projection (20) extends in the plane of the hinge clip (14).
 4. Windshield wiper arm as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projection (20) from the plane of the hinge clip (14) is bent toward the other hinge clip. 